12/07/2025
Gombe Builds Effective Framework for Development Partners’ Success — Dr. Isiyaku Babayo
..Says Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s Vision Has Turned Gombe into a Development Model for Nigeria
By Saeed Ahmad Bappah and Adamu Abubakar Kumo
The Special Adviser to the Gombe State Governor on Donor and Development Partners Coordination, Dr. Isiyaku Ishiyaku Ibrahim Babayo, has said that the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, has created one of the most effective, transparent, and functional frameworks for donor engagement and development partner operations in Nigeria.
Dr. Babayo stated this during an exclusive media interaction in his office, highlighting how Gombe’s well-coordinated approach to governance and project implementation has made the state a preferred destination for national and international development interventions.
“We have built a structure that works, a system where development partners not only feel welcome but are fully supported to achieve their goals,” Dr. Isiyaku said.
According to him, the state’s alignment with the Gombe State Ten-Year Development Plan (DEVECOM) ensures that donor-funded projects are not only sustainable but also integrated into the state's long-term vision.
He attributed this success to the unwavering political will and visionary leadership of Governor Inuwa Yahaya, who he described as “a leader who does not just approve policies but drives their implementation with urgency and integrity.”
“Since my appointment, I have never experienced any delay or bureaucratic hurdles from the Governor. Once he sees the value in a proposal—especially one that aligns with our development priorities—he gives immediate approval. This has earned us the trust of our development partners,” he explained.
Dr. Isiyaku noted that Gombe’s proactive engagement with partners such as the World Bank, UN agencies, AfDB, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and other bilateral and multilateral institutions has led to massive investments across sectors like healthcare, education, agriculture, WASH, and infrastructure.
“Today, Gombe is a model. States now reach out to us to understand our coordination model. They want to replicate the Gombe approach,” he said, adding that donor agencies often cite Gombe as one of the best-performing states in terms of project ex*****on, accountability, and community ownership.
He pointed to transformational results in the health sector, citing improvements in Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) especially the revitalisation of PHCs across the 114 political wards and better funding of routine immunization and disease control. In addition, he mentioned that another 114 health facilities are also currently undergoing a similar overhaul.
The Special Adviser also referenced visible improvements in education, WASH, and agriculture - all resulting from well-coordinated interventions.
“When the Governor was sworn in, his first official engagement was a visit to the State Water Board. That alone showed his seriousness. Now we have reliable water supply in places where people had lost hope,” Dr. Babayo recalled.
On infrastructure, the Special Adviser described Gombe’s new landscape as one of the clearest indicators of a working system. He pointed to major projects like the Three Arms Zone, comprising a new High Court Complex, House of Assembly, and a modern State Secretariat, as well as the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park, which is already attracting private sector investments and creating jobs.
“All of these achievements are a result of a well-oiled machinery put in place by Governor Inuwa Yahaya. He brought in a results-oriented approach. The success is not magic, it’s method,” he emphasized.
Dr. Isiyaku called on the people of Gombe State to continue supporting the administration and to remain confident in the state’s development trajectory.
"With what we have in place today, we are not just building for now, we’re building a future where Gombe will lead the way in inclusive, accountable, and impactful development,” he concluded.
